A craving for more power convinced designers to feature successive models with Wright Whirlwinds and other engines. What the designers did not anticipate was the notoriety the aircraft would attract as an unlikely record-breaker.<\/p>\n
Clearly the Robin was never going to break speed records. However, daredevil pilots saw plenty of other opportunities in the sturdy aircraft. In 1929, Dale “Red” Jackson performed over four hundred slow rolls without stopping in his Robin. Later, Jackson and Forrest O’Brine spent nearly 27 days circling over St. Louis. Their record was bettered in 1935 by Fred and Al Key, who flew their Robin for 653 continuous hours\u2014almost a month in the air! Fuel was delivered from another Robin via hose while mail, food, and spare parts came in a supply bag on the end of a rope. The brothers built a special catwalk on the aircraft in order to service the engine while in flight.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the most notorious use of a Robin was in the hands of Douglas Corrigan, a pilot and Lindbergh fan who, in 1938, was refused official permission to attempt his own Atlantic crossing in a tricked-out Robin. Undiscouraged, Corrigan then announced that he would fly nonstop from New York to Los Angeles. Shortly after take off, however, he \u201cfollowed a faulty compass heading\u201d and turned up in Ireland anyway, hence, his legendary nickname \u201cWrong Way\u201d Corrigan. Even though no one believed his story, he achieved celebrity for his brash and courageous act.<\/p>\n